DAPHNE, Ala.—People who are handy around plants are said to have a “green thumb.”

Chuck Speir—who made a career utilizing his knowledge of agriculture and chemical fertilizer—can be described as having a “green mind.” For his years of service, the Auburn University Agricultural Alumni Association Tuesday will induct Speir into its Hall of Honor.

“Much of Speir’s success is attributed to the practice of never letting politics enter his business dealings,” Auburn College of Agriculture communications specialist, Jamie Creamer, said. “His focus remained on trying to help farmers, no matter what the location or specific venture. He worked hard and was smart in his choices.”

Speir grew up on a farm in Furman, a small town in Wilcox County, where he helped his father raise cattle. His early childhood experiences on the family farm molded Speir’s passion for agriculture.

Speir, with his brother Harold, started Dixie Ag Supply—a seed and fertilizer distribution business—which was later bought by ConAgra Foods in 1980, and renamed United Agri Products.

“We had well over 50 percent of the business in the state,” he said, referring to the success his company enjoyed before selling to a conglomerate.

“I retired in 1992 but I continued to do some work after that,” he said. Speir consulted with agricultural firms like ConAgra, lending his expertise when needed.

Speir cites his past co-workers as keys to his personal achievement.

“It takes a lot of people to make a successful business. It takes truck drivers, warehouse managers, secretaries and accountants. And most of the time, the credit man.”

In December 1984, the association established the Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor to recognize living Alabamians who have made significant contributions to the state’s agricultural industry.

“The initial inductees consisted of three members, with not more than three new members to be added each year,” Creamer said. “In later years, the selection process evolved to identify individuals from three primary sectors of the industry: agribusiness, production and education/government.”

The association was founded in 1981 by alumni and friends of Auburn University’s College of Agriculture, Agribusiness Education, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Speir and his wife, Lena, have four children: Jennifer, 50; Holt, 48; John, 46; and Bill, 45.

“My high school sweetheart was Lena,” he said, smiling, reclining on a sofa in his sun room.

Speir served in the Army from 1954-56 during the Korean War. He was stationed in Manheim, Germany, where he worked in antiaircraft artillery intelligence.

Speir has enjoyed his retirement from the agriculture industry, having traveled with his wife across the world, including at least 10 trips to Italy.

“I love to travel,” he said. “I still want to do more of that.”

Three men will be inducted into the Hall of Honor in recognition of their contributions to and support of agriculture in the state:

AU College of Agriculture Dean and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Director Richard L. Guthrie of Auburn, honoree in the education/government sector; agribusiness-sector honoree Wyett Holt (Chuck) Speir Jr. of Daphne, retired from a career in agricultural chemical distribution and sales primarily in Selma; and, from the production sector, Ronnie B. Holladay, owner and operator of cattle and farming operations in Lowndes County.